Folding table.



K. ,G. JoHANsoN. FOLDING TABLE.

APILIOATION FILED DBO. 27, 1909. ,A 965,467, Patented July 26,1910..v

WJTNESSES.- 'i 'L JNVENTOR.

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KARL Gr. JOHANSON, OF CONCORD JUNCTION, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING TABLE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 27, 1909.

Patented July 26, 1910.

Serial No. 534,922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KARL G. JormNsoN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Concord Junction, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention aims to provide an automatic locking device for folding tables, the objects of which are, first to make the folding operation'easier; second, to afford facilities for so adjusting the parts when constructed as to fold with or without a canvas or similar cover attached to its top; third, to assure an even and well fitting oint with smooth top surface when unfolded; and fourth, to gain greater strength in construction. These objects are attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure l is a side elevation, the legs being omitted, showing the position of stays and brackets When unfolded. Fig. 2 is a detail plan of the brackets and the stays, the table top being removed. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the table top in folded position, the legs being shown in outline. Fig. 4c is a detail plan of the brackets, showing method of attachment. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the brackets one being shown in section on line (Y Z) of Fig. 4.

The table top (A) Fig. l is made in two equal sections running lengthwise and two pairs of stays (T) fastened thereto, each stay being supported by a bracket arm (L) pivotally connected at (i), said bracket arms pivoted together at (m) and held in a fixed position in relation to each other by means of a locking bolt (m) A metal plate (t) is inserted in the stays flush with their surface, at the connecting points for the purpose of resisting the strain. The stays (T) being beveled at (fn.) Fig. 2 prevents them from interfering when the table top is unfolded while the adjacent sides of both the stays and the brackets form one straight line, as best shown in Fig. 2 (1 2) where the strain comes.

The locking bolt is slightly flattened as shown at (U) Fig. 5, whereby the two table top halves are forced fast together at (d) Fig. 1 when said locking bolt is turned horizontal by its winged head shown in Fig. 4L. The eccentric slots (E), best shown in Fig. 5,

act as guideways for the locking bolt in which the same will gravitate, thereby unlocking the bracket arms when the table is held in an inverted position and folded or unfolded, as the small size of the latter permits of doing, and as soon as the locking bolt has dropped from its locking position in the eccentric slots and is no longer resisting the shearing action of the latter, the bracket arms cease to control the table top halves, therefore the movement of said bracket arms is dependent on the movement of the table top halves and the movement of the latter is guided by the operators hands, one being placed at each end of the table near the outer ends of the top stays.

The locking bolt does not have to be moved by hand in order to lock the bracket arms and incidentally the table top halves, as said locking bolt drops into its locking position as soon as the table is put upright and thus the latter is ready for use. The horizontal turning of the bolt is done by hand but is no part of the locking operation and is not necessary; it is done to prevent the same from being accidentally displaced While the table is in use and also to force the two table top halves fast together as before stated. The locking bolt must again be turned vertically by hand before the table is inverted and folded.

The two table top halves are maintained in a horizontal position by being as one rigid piece When the several parts are arranged as in Fig. 1 and the said table top halves will remain in that same position also, although slightly flexible, if the locking bolt is left vertical, in its position.

The table is easily folded while held inverted but it can be folded also while resting upright on the floor by raising the locking bolts by hand in the eccentric slots, which will cause the center of the table top at (d) Fig. l to collapse, then placing one hand under each end of the latter near the outer ends of the stays and raising the hands upward until they meet each describing an arc of a circle thereby folding the table. The infolding of the legs is dependent on the folding of the table top halves.

The canvas cover is never substituted for the solid table top halves but is secured by suitable means to the latter and forms a component part of said top serving in part as a hinge when the halves are folded together. The adjustment of the parts should be such that the connecting points (i) are placed at the proper distance from the top face of the solid table top halves so that the canvas will have room to fold between the latter; and

I claim- 1. In a folding table the combination with the folding leg supports, of a folding tofp comprising a solid top member a pair o stays fastened to the latter, the outer ends of said stays pivotally connected to the tops of said leg supports, the inner ends projecting by each other,.and pivotally connected to and supported by bracket arms, a pivot .connecting the latter, and a means for locking said bracket arms whereby the table top halves are held rigid in unfoldedv position.

2. In a folding table, the combination with the folding leg supports, of a folding nected to the tops of said leg supports, the

inner ends projecting by each other, each pivotally connected to and supported by a bracket arm, a pivot connecting the latter, a locking bolt, and an eccentric slot in each of said bracket arms wherein said locking bolt moves when the table is folded or unfolded.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

KARL G. JOHANSON. IVitnesses:

EVERETT E. KENT, JOSEPH T. BRENNAN. 

